Cheese: Production Methods

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the quantity of cheese manufactured in the UK from imported milk powder.

Jonathan R Shaw: The estimates of the quantity of cheese manufactured in the UK from imported milk powder is unavailable.

Departments: Performance Appraisal

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff in his Department did not achieve an acceptable mark in their annual report in 2006-07.

Jonathan R Shaw: The 2006-07 Performance Management arrangements for staff in the SCS have been concluded.
	For staff below the SCS in core-DEFRA and those agencies covered by the core-Department's performance appraisal arrangements (including Animal Health, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Pesticides Safety Directorate, Marine Fisheries Agency and Government Decontamination Service) the process has still to be concluded.
	However, to date (up to 30 June 2007), eight staff had not achieved an acceptable mark in their 2006-07annual report.

Farmers: Income

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the average annual earnings of farmers in  (a) Ribble Valley,  (b) the north-west and  (c) the UK in each year since 1979.

Jonathan R Shaw: Information is not available in the precise form requested and the Farm Business Survey is not able to provide figures for  (a) Ribble Valley. The following table shows average net farm income per farm in  (b) the north-west Government office region and  (c) the UK in each year since 1980-81. Data are not available on a comparable basis for earlier years.
	
		
			  Average net farm income 
			  £ per farm 
			   North-west  United Kingdom 
			 1980-81 10,788 7,013 
			 1981-82 18,460 10,005 
			 1982-83 11,519 11,341 
			 1983-84 13,734 10,714 
			 1984-85 16,163 11,817 
			 1985-86 9,630 6,675 
			 1986-87 13,296 10,011 
			 1987-88 11,733 11,571 
			 1988-89 16,082 12,319 
			 1989-90 20,311 15,482 
			 1990-91 15,995 14,288 
			 1991-92 17,621 15,250 
			 1992-93 20,558 19,166 
			 1993-94 26,134 21,923 
			 1994-95 24,006 24,123 
			 1995-96 29,009 31,776 
			 1 996-97 24,389 26,027 
			 1997-98 15,082 12,213 
			 1998-99 9,086 8,512 
			 1999-2000 7,277 6,639 
			 2000-01 15,179 8,666 
			 2001-02 21,383 12,992 
			 2002-03 17,108 13,728 
			 2003-04 21,243 23,932 
			 2004-05 16,596 17,991 
			 2005-06 16,293 17,508 
			  Source: Farm Business Survey 
		
	
	Net farm income is defined as the return to the principal farmer and spouse for their manual and managerial labour and on the tenant type capital of the business. It excludes all income arising from outside the farm business.

Farmers: Manpower

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farmers there were in  (a) Ribble Valley,  (b) the North West and  (c) the UK in each year since 1979; and what proportion of the total work force they made up.

Jonathan R Shaw: The following table shows the number of farmers and total agricultural work force in  (a) Ribble Valley,  (b) the North West and  (c) England and the proportion of the total UK work force they made up for 1992-2006. These are the figures that are most readily available. Figures for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland fall under the jurisdiction of the devolved authorities.
	
		
			  PQ 3543 Numbers of farmers and agricultural labour in Ribble Valley local authority, the North West region and England 
			   (a) Ribble Valley 
			   Farmers  As percentage of total UK work force  Agricultural labour  As percentage of total UK work force 
			 1992 1,277 0.00 1,861 0.01 
			 1993 1,309 0.00 1,884 0.01. 
			 1994 1,290 0.00 1,887 0.01 
			 1995 1,253 0.00 1,818 0.01 
			 1996 1,266 0.00 1,803 0.01 
			 1997 1,253 0.00 1,797 0.01 
			 1998 1,255 0.00 1,795 0.01 
			 1999 1,245 0.00 1,728 0.01 
			 2000 1,274 0.00 1,646 0.01 
			 2001 1,323 0.00 1,697 0.01 
			 2002 1,278 0.00 1,639 0.01 
			 2003 1,218 0.00 (1)— (1)— 
			 2004 1,254 0.00 1,633 0.01 
			 2005 1,243 0.00 1,576 0.01 
			 2006 1,251 0.00 1,576 0.01 
		
	
	
		
			   (b) North West 
			   Farmers  As percentage of total UK work force  Agricultural labour  As percentage of total UK work force 
			 1992 27,402 0.10 46,312 0.17 
			 1993 27,605 0.10 46,147 0.17 
			 1994 27,504 0.10 46,155 0.17 
			 1995 26,461 0.09 45,148 0.16 
			 1996 26,412 0.09 45,026 0.16 
			 1997 26,199 0.09 44,593 0.16 
			 1998 26,536 0.09 44,280 0.15 
			 1999 26,024 0.09 42,020 0.14 
			 2000 27,548 0.09 41,696 0.14 
			 2001 28,670 0.10 42,413 0.14 
			 2002 27,392 0.09 40,317 0.13 
			 2003 26,601 0.09 38,340 0.13 
			 2004 27,065 0.09 39,347 0.13 
			 2005 26,824 0.09 39,097 0.13 
			 2006 27,113 0.09 39,016 0.12 
		
	
	
		
			   (c) England 
			   Farmers  As percentage of total UK work force  Agricultural labour  As percentage of total UK work force 
			 1992 213,337 0.8 420,074 1.5 
			 1993 216,094 0.8 417,619 1.5 
			 1994 215,010 0.8 410,809 1.5 
			 1995 208,050 0.7 400,887 1.4 
			 1996 207,807 0.7 396,786 1.4 
			 1997 206,421 0.7 393,105 1.4 
			 1998 208,156 0.7 396,557 1.4 
			 1999 203,362 0.7 379,018 1.3 
			 2000 220,934 0.7 374,291 1.3 
			 2001 233,738 0.8 386,732 1.3 
			 2002 225,521 0.7 371,824 1.2 
			 2003 219,123 0.7 354,381 1.2 
			 2004 224,449 0.7 367,585 1.2 
			 2005 223,008 0.7 364,891 1.2 
			 2006 223,769 0.7 361,017 1.1 
			 (1) Suppressed to maintain confidentiality. 2003 data for total labour in Ribble Valley is taken from a larger published dataset and has been suppressed to protect a total in another area where the value refers to a small number of holdings only.  Notes: 1. Figures prior to 2000 cover main holdings only. Figures from 2000 onwards include main and minor holdings. A minor holding has to meet all the following conditions: (a) have a total area of less than six hectares (b) a total labour requirement of less than 100 standard person days (c) no regular full-time farmer or worker (d) a glasshouse area of less than a 100 square metres (e) the occupier does not farm another holding 2. Estimates have been made for holdings not selected or not responding. 3. Office of National Statistics total labour force figures include all work force categories (employed, self-employed, HM forces and Government supported trainees). 4. Agricultural labour force includes: (a) principal farmers, spouses and business partners (b) salaried managers, regular and casual/gang workers 5. Due to the introduction of new questions in 1998 figures prior to this year are not directly comparable with earlier years' results. 6. Due to a register improvement exercise in 2001 labour figures prior to this are not directly comparable with later results.  Sources: 1. June Agricultural Survey 2. Office for National Statistics

Housing: Environment Protection

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the average  (a) energy efficiency,  (b) water efficiency and  (c) carbon dioxide emissions of homes constructed to operate unconnected to mains electricity, gas and water supply.

Phil Woolas: The Government have made no estimate of the average energy efficiency or carbon dioxide emissions from homes unconnected to mains electricity and gas supply. The requirements of part L of the Building Regulations, which sets requirements for energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions, apply to all homes regardless of whether or not they are connected to mains energy supplies. Nevertheless, developers are reasonably free to determine how to meet the requirements of part L.
	The Code for Sustainable Homes and the draft Planning Policy Statement on Climate Change are designed to cut carbon emissions from new homes and promote low and zero carbon homes in the period up until 2016, when the Government have proposed that all new homes will be zero carbon.
	It is estimated that there are around 50,000 private water supplies serving about 0.6 per cent. of the population in England and Wales. No estimate has been made about the water efficiency of these dwellings, and they are not subject to the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.
	DEFRA and the Department for Communities and Local Government have jointly consulted on options for regulating for minimum standards of water efficiency in new homes and commercial buildings. If requirements were to be introduced through building regulations they would apply to all new houses irrespective of the type of water supply. The consultation closed on 9 March 2007, we will publish responses in due course.

Inland Waterways: Pollution

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what mechanisms the Environment Agency has in place to monitor levels of pollution in  (a) the River Severn,  (b) public waterways,  (c) the sewerage system,  (d) Brofiscin Quarry and  (e) Maendy Quarry; and what records the agency keeps of the potential sources of pollution.

Phil Woolas: The Environment Agency routinely monitors 61 sites within the fresh and estuarine waters of the River Severn. The substances assessed and frequency of monitoring vary between monitoring points. In total the monitoring undertaken covers 134 different substances and parameters.
	Many public waterways are included in the Environment Agency's routine monitoring programme. Where possible pollution incidents are identified, depending on severity and these are followed up by more detailed investigations.
	Water companies are responsible for monitoring the sewerage system. The Environment Agency monitors the quality of discharges from sewage works into the water environment to check compliance with consent requirements.
	The Brofiscin and Maendy quarries are in Wales and are therefore a devolved matter.
	The Environment Agency keeps a number of records of potential sources of pollution. These include records of consented discharges to surface and groundwaters; waste management licences and authorisations for industrial processes.

Organic Food: Pesticides

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures are in place to monitor the contamination of organic food by pesticides and herbicides that are permitted for use on such crops.

Phil Woolas: In addition to the standard controls on pesticide and herbicide use, organic producers are subject to the control system outlined in the Compendium of UK Organic Standards.
	These include control of the use of external inputs. The Standards are enforced in a number of ways:
	(i) By the DEFRA and UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) approved organic inspection body that the farmer must be registered with. The farmer must be subject to at least an annual inspection by a DEFRA approved organic inspector from that body and may also be subject to further unannounced inspection visits. These inspections can (and when appropriate do) include sampling and testing. A positive result for either a non-allowed product, or an allowed product that was either incorrectly used or had not been approved for use as required, would result in the imposition of sanctions ranging from decertification of the product to decertification of the farm dependant on the severity and cause of the case.
	(ii) DEFRA organises sample surveillance inspections based on both random and risk based selection to ensure the inspection system is operated correctly by the approved organic inspection bodies.
	(iii) The Pesticides Safety Directorate undertakes a residues surveillance programme that includes organic samples, and tests all samples for a wide range of pesticides including some of those allowed in organic production. Any unusual results are passed to the Organic Team in DEFRA who ensure the information is passed to the appropriate inspection body for further investigation.
	(iv) Deliberate breaches of standards by organic operators are dealt with under The Organic Products Regulations 2004 (as amended), enforcement is undertaken by Trading Standards Officers.
	It should be noted that no herbicides are permitted for use in organic farming, discovery of their use would result in an automatic sanction.

Research: Biotechnology

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what public funding her Department has made available in each of the last 10 years to  (a) the Natural Environment Research Council and  (b) other bodies for the purposes of conducting agricultural biotechnology research.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer 28 June 2007
	The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) does not fund the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) directly. However, DEFRA does let contracts to NERC-sponsored research institutes. DEFRA research and development (R and D) contracts all research organisations for agricultural biotechnology work are summarised in the table attached.
	For this purpose, DEFRA has defined biotechnology as being the application of biological organisms, systems and processes to manufacturing and service industries. This definition covers genetic modification research but goes much wider to include fused cell techniques, protein engineering, fermentation and cell culture techniques, the production of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies and many other techniques. It excludes pathogen characterisation and epidemiology.
	
		
			  Organisations in receipt of DEFRA R and D contracts related to agricultural biotechnology, 2000-01 to 2007-08( 1) 
			  £000 
			  Contractor  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07( 1)  2007-08( 1) 
			 ADAS UK Ltd 0 424,025 424,521 262,610 42,089 0 51,802 77,356 
			 Atkins Environment 0 0 14,981 59,856 24,892 0 0 0 
			 BBSRC (via Central Office) 0 0 0 0 0 0 20,289 20,289 
			 Botanical Developments Ltd 0 0 0 0 0 0 141,599 121,749 
			 Bristol University 198,989 297,092 324,538 234,074 86,584 52,642 0 0 
			 British Ornithologist's Union 0 0 0 10,000 0 0 0 0 
			 Cambridge University 0 0 142,517 120,150 114,527 93,234 34,915 0 
			 Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association 0 31,615 30,757 110,762 172,404 164,807 61,238 0 
			 CEFAS 176,656 147,225 213,438 267,026 211,000 0 0 0 
			 Cellmark Diagnostics 0 7,500 6,000 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Central Science Laboratory 1,474,662 1,700,137 1,602,035 720,027 336,803 324,127 496,143 565,321 
			 Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research 18,831 84,422 97,192 49,617 0 0 0 0 
			 Centre for Ecology and Hydrology 0 0 0 0 0 15,4498 0 0 
			 De Montfort University 79,647 17,334 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Dr David Garwes 0 0 0 0 10,000 60,000 55,000 15,000 
			 East Anglia University 56,950 17,175 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 East Mailing Research 0 0 0 0 424,281 510,045 522,547 379,769 
			 Forestry Research 88,712 137,100 63,226 72,433 70,423 67,254 92,895 94,525 
			 Genesis Faraday Partnership 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 49,935 
			 Hannah Research Institute 11,913 48,280 49,631 36,019 0 0 0 0 
			 Horticultural Development Council 0 5,833 4,167 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Horticulture Research International 2,741,306 4,044,549 341,1758 2,741,843 721,350 589,819 479,473 389,774 
			 Institute of Food Research 0 37,334 18,666 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Institute for Animal Health 232,000 23,2000 20,2000 202,000 202,000 202,000 245,342 214,944 
			 Institute of Grassland and Environment Research 1,291,058 1,495,788 1,698,867 1,894,959 1,821,540 1,857,802 1,927,701 547,870 
			 Institute for Animal Health 232,000 232,000 202,000 202,000 202,000 202,000 245,342 214,944 
			 Institute of Grassland and Environment Research 1,291,058 1,495,788 1,698,867 1,894,959 1,821,540 1,857,802 1,927,701 547,870 
			 Institute of Zoology 37,121 79,989 48,169 0 0 0 0 0 
			 International Food Information Service 36,000 33,825 6,150 0 0 0 0 0 
			 John Innes Centre 1,232,186 1,290,963 881,815 310,017 370,379 423,700 192,464 70,998 
			 Leatherhead Food International Ltd 0 0 83,372 130,192 50,457 0 0 0 
			 Lewislive Ltd 0 0 0 60,105 0 0 0 0 
			 LGC 0 5,000 5,000 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Liverpool University 52,761 99,683 94,772 47,851 0 0 0 0 
			 LMC International 0 0 0 72,944 0 0 0 0 
			 Marine Laboratory - Aberdeen 20,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Marks and Spencer plc 0 0 0 60,500 86,043 91,455 74,844 17,226 
			 Ms Ella Livingstone 0 15,000 15,000 0 0 0 0 0 
			 National Institute of Agricultural Botany 167,190 242,546 219,493 168,485 212,597 66,760 21,930 0 
			 Natural Environment Research Council (via Central Office) 1,010,068 1,215,512 1,702,084 553,648 220,533 208,706 78,458 13,683 
			 New Game-Plan Ltd 0 0 0 0 10,431 0 0 0 
			 Newcastle University 0 0 0 24,616 48,488 75,003 78,664 49,441 
			 Plant Research International 0 0 0 0 224,085 222,516 257,470 247,682 
			 Processors and Growers Research Organisation 0 0 0 0 40,071 258,503 329,012 351,348 
			 Reading University 0 0 0 0 0 52,506 0 0 
			 RHM Group Ltd 0 155,870 120,434 120,142 0 0 0 0 
			 Roslin Institute 821,929 1,277,766 1,228,414 1,162,750 1,023,682 925,586 547,650 287,008 
			 Rothamsted Research 787,870 100,4760 964,690 974,379 953,786 656,541 492,602 503,743 
			 Royal Botanic Gardens 28,317 62,364 36,172 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Royal Society of Chemistry 0 27,789 50,879 53,816 22,608 0 0 0 
			 Scottish Agricultural College 49,202 101,736 89,758 19,839 50,935 116,058 332,068 365,486 
			 Scottish Crop Research Institute 410,328 522,924 540,834 248,181 454,404 928,836 229,528 0 
			 Silsoe Research Institute 0 81,413 271,738 183,544 108,194 0 0 0 
			 Southampton University 106,747 47,752 88,106 392,638 468,371 510,119 534,918 529,703 
			 Sutton Bonnington Campus - Nottingham University 0 29,343 72,803 43,461 0 0 0 0 
			 The University of Manchester 50,971 26,083 0 90,000 4,550 0 0 0 
			 UCNW (Bangor University) 0 56,395 65,104 5,577 0 0 0 0 
			 United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) 0 0 0 34,000 0 0 0 0 
			 University of East Anglia 0 0 157,407 35,068 0 0 0 0 
			 University of Edinburgh 0 0 0 0 0 58,440 110,723 105,942 
			 University of Exeter 0 0 0 0 86,273 196,255 67,420 71,831 
			 University of Leeds 32,401 67,310 71,792 0 36,882 0 0 0 
			 University of Nottingham 243,787 557,657 59,7814 539,861 513,907 385,17 398,673 51,083 
			 University of the West of England 0 0 50,762 97,221 135,104 124,143 0 0 
			 University of Wales, Cardiff 31282 181242 209,130 159,324 42,701 0 0 0 
			 University Wales, Aberystwth, Inst of Rural Studies 176,060 168,866 166,414 192,469 191,085 146,322 96,144 0 
			 Veterinary Laboratories Agency 887,139 1,142,406 1,115,572 1,031,266 485,147 308,121 264,441 245,122 
			 Warwick - HRI 0 267,728 1,251,429 2,398,167 3,148,562 2,781,402 1,829,811 1,133,281 
			 York University 76,206 167,557 168,162 124,098 47,287 0 0 0 
			 Total 126,282,289 17,656,888 18677563 16,115,535 13,274,455 12,612,917 10,065,764 6,520,109 
			 (1)Figures for 2006-07 and 2007-08 figures are provisional.

Pensions: Financial Assistance Scheme

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applicant pension schemes' qualification status for the Financial Assistance Scheme are undecided; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: As at 29 June 2007 the Financial Assistance Scheme has received formal applications from 894 pension schemes of which, 27 remain undecided.

Children: Day Care

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many childcare places  (a) opened and  (b) closed in 2005-06.

Beverley Hughes: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of childcare places that have opened and closed in 2005-06, England 
			   Number 
			  Opened 214,800 
			 Childminders 48,800 
			 Full day care 90,900 
			 Out of school 75,200 
			   
			  Closed 144,600 
			 Childminders 44,800 
			 Full day care 48,700 
			 Out of school 51,100 
			   
			  Net steady state changes( 1) +8,900 
			 Childminders +2,100 
			 Full day care +5,600 
			   
			 Out of school +1,200 
			  Net change +79,100 
			 (1) The net steady state refers to registered providers whose registration status has not changed, but whose number of places has fluctuated over the period in question.   Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 if under 100, and to the nearest 100 if over 100.   Source: Ofsted 
		
	
	Ofsted have produced figures on the numbers of registered childcare providers and laces on a quarterly basis from March 2003. Their latest published figures are available on their website
	www.Ofsted.gov.uk/

Children's Centres

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment has been made of the effect of Sure Start children's centres in areas where there is existing sufficient nursery provision provided by the private, voluntary and independent sector.

Beverley Hughes: Sure Start children's centres serving communities in the most disadvantaged areas must include, as part of their offer to parents, integrated full day care and early learning places for children under five. In many cases, this will build on existing provision, like Sure Start Local programmes or Neighbourhood Nurseries. 58 per cent. of children's centres have child care provided by the private, voluntary or independent sectors. In less disadvantaged areas, if existing provision is meeting parents' needs; centres will simply provide parents with advice and information about local child care options.
	In planning their children's centres, local authorities must consult with existing private, voluntary and independent child care providers to determine the best way of ensuring parents have access to sufficient, good quality provision. In addition, from October this year, the Childcare Act 2008 will place a restriction on local authorities providing child care where there are alternative and appropriate means of delivery available in the market.
	The assessments of child care sufficiency that local authorities are required to complete by April 2008 can be expected to give a clear indication of how child care provided by Sure Start children's centres fits with other child care in their areas. Local authorities will be expected to act in accordance with their assessments when fulfilling the duty to secure, from April 2008, sufficient child care for working parents.

Education Maintenance Allowance: Stockton South

Dari Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many students in Stockton, South claimed education maintenance allowance in each year since it was introduced, broken down by ward of residence.

David Lammy: I have been asked to reply.
	This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council, who operate the education maintenance allowance (EMA) for the DCSF and hold the information about take-up and payments under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the council's chief executive, has written to my hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	 Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 5 July 2007:
	I am writing in response to your recent Parliamentary Question that asked: "How many students in Stockton South claimed education maintenance allowance in each year since it was introduced; broken down by ward of residence."
	Information on the number of young people who have applied, enrolled and received Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is available at Local Authority Level, but not at Ward level EMA take-up is defined as young people who have received one or more EMA payments in the academic year.
	EMA take-up for Stockton-on-Tees Local Authority area during each academic year since inception is as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2004/05 945 
			 2005/06 1,768 
			 2006/07 (1)2,359 
			 (1 )To end of May. 
		
	
	EMA Take-up data showing the number of young people who have received one or more EMA payments during 2004/05, 2005/06 and to date in 2006/07 is now also available on the LSC website, at the following address:
	http://www Isc.gov.uk/providers/Data/statistics/learner/EMA_take _up.htm
	I hope you find this information useful.

Pre-school Education: Southern Region

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what estimate his Department has made of the cost per capita to nurseries, pre-schools and daycare providers in  (a) Kent and  (b) south east England of delivering the free 2.5 hour early years session for three and four year olds;
	(2)  what assessment his Department has made of the level of funding per capita for the free 2.5 hour early years session for three and four year olds that is being passed onto  (a) private, voluntary and independent sector nurseries, pre-schools and daycare providers and  (b) maintained sector nurseries, pre-schools and daycare providers by each local education authority in south east England.

Beverley Hughes: The free entitlement is delivered by a very diverse range of providers in the maintained, private; voluntary and independent sectors; which would make it impossible to identify a single unit cost for delivery of nursery education and care.
	Because of this diversity. local authorities—in consultation with their school forums—are responsible for deciding how best to apply their total school and early years funding across all age groups and between different types of provider, based on an assessment of local circumstances. The code of practice on the provision of free nursery education places for three and four-year-olds requires local authorities to ensure settings are funded equitably, transparently and fairly, reflecting local need.
	At national level, estimated expenditure on under 5's by local authorities in 2005-06, the latest year for which outturn data is available, is £3,473 million The Department is currently working with authorities to produce estimates of the level of funding allocated to early years in each local authority and its distribution between the PVI and maintained sectors in 2005-06 and 2006-07. We intend to collate and publish these estimates in August so that authorities can benchmark their approaches to funding the free entitlement. This is part of a wider package of reforms of the early years funding system announced on 25 June 2007 and available at
	www.teachernet.gov.uk/schoolfunding2008to11

Higher Education: Student Numbers

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills whether his Department is responsible for AimHigher and other Widening Participation activities in schools; and how he plans to ensure that schools and universities continue to work together to improve access to higher education.

Bill Rammell: The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills is responsible for widening participation in higher education, including the Aimhigher programme. The Aimhigher programme, in particular, brings together universities, colleges and schools in partnership to raise the attainment levels of young people and their aspirations towards higher education. Higher education institutions themselves will also often have well developed programmes of activities to raise the aspirations of pupils in schools and colleges which are built on strong local partnerships. These links are already well established and I will continue to work closely with my colleagues in the Department for Children, Schools and Families to ensure they are maintained and strengthened.
	Improving the attainment and outcomes at all stages of education for people from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly low socio-economic groups, is a shared Government objective. As part of our strategy to widen participation my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills announced on 5 July a further package of improvements to the financial support available in England to students from hard working families on modest incomes; so that no one from such backgrounds is held back from realising their potential by concerns about the affordability of university study. This package includes an expansion of the popular and successful Student Associate Scheme involving high achieving HE students helping out as mentors and assistants in school classrooms where, as role models, they can inspire young people to achieve and progress into higher education. Our two Departments will continue to work together on this and a range of other programmes.

Housing Targets

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the Government's target is for additional  (a) council and  (b) other social housing in the 2007-08 financial year and the next two financial years.

Yvette Cooper: For 2007-08, we are on course to deliver our target of 30,000 social rented homes. The vast majority will be delivered by housing associations with a small proportion by council, or private developers,
	Future delivery will be subject to the outcome of comprehensive spending review 2007.

Council Housing: Sales

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many council tenants bought their council homes under the right-to-buy scheme in each year since 1997.

Iain Wright: The numbers of local authority homes sold through the right-to-buy scheme, in each financial year since 1996-97, are tabulated as follows.
	
		
			  Local authority stock sold through the right-to-buy scheme: England 
			   Number of homes 
			 1996-97 33,206 
			 1997-98 41,329 
			 1998-99 40,272 
			 1999-2000 54,251 
			 2000-01 52,380 
			 2001-02 51,968 
			 2002-03 63,394 
			 2003-04 69,577 
			 2004-05 49,983 
			 2005-06 26,655 
			  Note: Data includes estimates for non-responding authorities.  Source: Returns (P1B) from local authorities to CLG

Council Housing: Sales

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps the Government are taking to inform first-time buyers about the right-to-buy scheme.

Iain Wright: Social landlords are required by section 104 of the Housing Act 1985 to provide their secure tenants with information on the provisions of the right to buy scheme. Section 189 of the Housing Act 2004 places an additional duty on social landlords to supply information to tenants to help them to decide whether to exercise the right to buy. The matters on which information must be provided art specified in the Housing (Right to Buy) (Information to Secure Tenants) (England) Order 2005 (Statutory Instrument 2005 No. 1735), and relate to the terms of the scheme (including eligibility and exceptions), the costs of home ownership (including mortgage, stamp duty, valuation fees and maintenance costs) and the risk of repossession if regular mortgages payments are not made.
	Since 1980, the Government have produced a booklet for tenants, "Your right to buy your home", which social landlords are expected to provide to their tenants. The booklet describes the terms and procedures of the scheme and the costs of home ownership.

Fire Services

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will list all publications containing current operational guidance issued to fire and rescue authorities.

Parmjit Dhanda: holding answer 9 July 2007
	Recently issued operational guidance for the fire and rescue service is available on the Communities and Local Government website, and a substantial proportion of older guidance such as fire and rescue service manuals is available from The Stationery Office.
	The Department is currently in the process of reviewing all operational guidance
	issued to the fire and rescue service. This is likely to result in the review, reissue or withdrawal of some of the considerable body of existing guidance. After the review, a complete up to date list will be placed on the departmental website.

Housing: Low Incomes

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many social housing properties were made available by property developers in each London borough in each of the last five years.

Iain Wright: The Housing Act 2004 gave the Housing Corporation the power to provide grant to fund of affordable housing to other bodies such as private developers. In 2006-07, a total of 260 social rented homes were provided by non-registered social landlords (RSL) through Housing Corporation's affordable housing programme. None of these homes were in London.

Local Government: Pay

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the total back pay liability for all expected years is for each local authority that has applied for a capitalisation direction in respect of equal pay; and how much each authority is seeking to have capitalised.

John Healey: A number of local authorities are currently engaged in complex negotiations with their employees and Trade Unions, the outcome of which will determine the scale of their liability?if any?under the Equal Pay Act Publishing the information requested could prejudice ongoing negotiations.

Thurrock Development Corporation

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the total cost of the Thurrock Development Corporation has been since it was constituted; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: holding answer 26 June 2007
	To date, Communities and Local Government has allocated the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation a capital budget of £63 million and its revenue spending amounts to a total of 36.5 million since 2003—the inception of the Corporation.

Clinical Trials

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 23 January 2007,  Official Report, column 1735W, on clinical trials, on what date the implementation group set up by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency was established; on how many occasions it has met since; and over what timescale he expects each of the recommendations contained within the report of the Independent Expert Scientific Group on clinical trials to be implemented;
	(2)  whether the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency assesses the size of doses to be administered to volunteers in clinical trials on the basis of minimum anticipated biological effect levels;
	(3)  pursuant to the answer of 23 January 2007,  Official Report, columns 1735-36W, on clinical trials, whether the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has established an expert advisory group to advise on applications for clinical trials on higher risk substances.

Dawn Primarolo: The Implementation Group established by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to take forward the recommendations made by the independent Expert Scientific Group (ESG) held its first meeting on 27 September 2006 and has met a further four times since then.
	The MHRA assesses the starting doses to be administered to volunteers in clinical trials based on available toxicology and pharmacology data.
	In general, the calculation of the first dose in man is based on the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) determined in non-clinical safety studies performed in the most sensitive and relevant animal species. However, a calculation of the minimal anticipated biological effect level (MABEL) is also used and this approach is considered to be more appropriate than the NOAEL when the results of animal studies are thought less likely to predict the effect of the molecule in man.
	The MHRA has established an Expert Advisory Group (EAG) of the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) to advise on applications for clinical trials on higher risk substances, and it held its first meeting on 18 March 2007. Prior to this, and since the ESG formulated its interim advice in July 2006, advice on applications for clinical trials on higher risk substances was obtained from the CHM.
	Progress is being made on implementing the ESG report recommendations as follows:
	Recommendation one concerns the drug development process itself and the need for those involved in such programmes to be appropriately trained. The former will be addressed in the revised European Union guidance which we expect to be published by the end of July 2007. The MHRA is having discussions with relevant bodies on the latter with a view to developing a training and accreditation scheme for investigators for Phase 1 trials. We do not expect this recommendation to be implemented before 2008.
	Recommendation two proposes a regular review of the regulatory process and has already been implemented as one of the responsibilities of the newly formed EAG.
	Recommendations three and four propose that clinical and pre-clinical unpublished studies relevant to the safety of human exposure need to be collected in a format that can be shared confidentially between regulators. Discussions on the proposal have taken place with the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) and they will discuss the recommendations with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and with the International Conference for Harmonisation (ICH) to involve the wider regulatory population. The EMEA will also ask the European Commission about raising the issue of data sharing with other countries. The EU databases will need amendment to enable the information to be collected. We do not expect these recommendations to be implemented before 2008.
	Recommendation five and eight recommend earlier dialogue between regulator and drug developer, and better communication between regulator and ethics committees. The recommendation on earlier dialogue has been implemented through establishing a procedure that allows for informal discussion and submission of data on higher risk substances in advance of submission of the formal clinical trial application. This will avoid the need to lengthen current formal approval times.
	The recommendation on better communication was implemented in October 2006 through adoption of a Memorandum of Understanding between MHRA and ethics committees.
	Recommendation six and seven recommends the regulator should have access to additional advice from experts and was implemented by establishment of the EAG of the CHM in March 2007.
	Recommendation nine to 17 concern determining and administering the initial doses of a drug in man and are addressed in the guidance being developed by the EU scientific committee, which should be published by the end of July 2007. In the meantime the MHRA is operating interim arrangements that take account of these recommendations.
	Recommendation 18 refers to the training of principal investigators and is being progressed with recommendation 1.
	Recommendation 19 proposes development of a treatment strategy when drawing up protocols for trials involving higher risk substances and will be addressed in the EU guidance.
	Recommendation 20 specifies the facilities that should be available for first in man studies of higher risk substances. The MHRA is developing a voluntary accreditation scheme for Phase 1 units which will provide assurances that they have appropriate facilities available. This scheme will be available from April 2008, although we expect an informal self assessment scheme to be implemented shortly, prior to the scheme being finalised.
	Recommendation 21 advocates widening availability of "hands-on" experience in the conduct of clinical trials and has wide-ranging implications for industry and those responsible for the training of medical personnel. Although discussions are under way, it is unlikely that this recommendation will be implemented before 2008.
	Recommendation 22 considers the need for specialist Phase 1 centres, and we propose this should be addressed via the proposed accreditation scheme, which should provide assurance in the longer term that trials are conducted only in units with suitable facilities and staff.

Community Care

Jane Kennedy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what measures are in place to ensure that recipients of domiciliary care commissioned by a local authority have continuity of care protected during a change in care provider;
	(2)  what redress is open to clients in receipt of domiciliary care commissioned by a local authority in circumstances where they have had their carer withdrawn by the local authority without provision for alternative support services being made.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 29 June 2007
	Local authorities are responsible for assessing the care needs of their populations and providing or arranging care services to meet those needs. It is for local authorities to ensure that peoples' assessed needs are met on a day to day basis, regardless of how services are delivered. Local authorities are responsible for setting the criteria that determine peoples' eligibility for care. They do so based on local need and may also take into account their resources.
	A person receiving domiciliary care services arranged by a local authority will receive such services, following the process of assessment of their need for such a service carried out by the authority, under section 47 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, taking into account relevant directions and guidance from the Secretary of State.
	Changes may be made by the local authority to the services received following a reassessment under section 47 and an authority may temporarily provide urgently needed services without an assessment, pending the completion of an assessment.
	People who have services withdrawn (or their representatives) are entitled to make use of the local authority social services complaints procedure. Procedures for handling complaints about the provision of domiciliary care services are set out in the Local Authority Social Services Complaints (England) Regulations (S.I.2006/1681). Information on how to make a complaint is available from local authority offices.

Departments: Sick Leave

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff in his Department have taken  (a) five or more,  (b) four,  (c) three and  (d) two periods of sick leave of less than five days in the last 12 months.

Dawn Primarolo: Our records show:
	81 staff have taken five or more periods of sick leave of less that five days in the last 12 months;
	60 staff have taken four periods of sick leave of less than five days in the last 12 months;
	153 staff have taken three periods of sick leave of less than five days in the last 12 months;
	261 have taken two periods of sick leave of less than five days in the last 12 months.

Dietary Supplements: Channel Islands

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government is taking to assist the governments of Jersey and Guernsey in the implementation of the European Union legislation relating to food supplements, nutrition and health claims made on food and the current medicine directives.

Dawn Primarolo: The Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation, the Food Supplements Directive and the Medicines Directive remove barriers to the free movement of goods within the European Union by regulating content, sale and labelling of products. Jersey and Guernsey are not part of the European Union (EU), instead they have a relationship with the EU provided by Protocol 3 of the United Kingdom's Treaty of Accession to the European Community. Discussions on exactly how the requirements of these Directives apply to the Channel Islands are continuing between the UK and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey.
	The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is supporting the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in their communications with the Channel Islands over these directives, and has had correspondence with the Chief Executive of Guernsey on this issue. The MHRA will give advice and assistance as requested by the Bailiwicks to implement Medicines Directives. The FSA will give advice and assistance as requested by the Bailiwicks to implement the Food Supplements Directive and the Nutritional and Health Claims Directive.
	The FSA, MHRA and MoJ have met with the Health Food Manufacturers' Association to discuss issues relating to the trade in food supplements and unlicensed medicinal products via the Channel Islands. Further information has been requested from the industry association to assist in discussions with the island governments.
	The MHRA's response to the consultation by the Bailiwick of Guernsey on its draft medicines legislation said that the proposed legislation did not implement the Medicines Directive; it offered assistance to the Bailiwick of Guernsey in implementing the Directive and asked for the Bailiwick's proposed timescale.

Departments: Private Finance Initiative

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total cost is of all private finance initiative projects for which his Department has responsibility completed since 1997; and what the projected cost is of such projects commissioned or under way.

Jim Murphy: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has completed no Private Finance Initiatives (PFI) since 1997. Two PFI projects are under way with a total estimated cost of £381.7 million. The details are:
	Global Crossing—Provision of a worldwide telecommunications network for a term often years from 10 May 2000. The total estimated cost of this contract is £247.5 million. The present unitary payment charged to the operating cost statement is £24 million per annum; and
	Arteos—In respect of the building, operation and maintenance of our Embassy in Berlin for a term of 30 years from 23 June 1998 with an option to extend for a further 30 years. The total estimated costs of the contract over its lifetime to June 2028 is £134.2 million. The current unitary payment is £4.4 million per annum.
	Further details on these signed deals are available on HM Treasury's website, available at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/documents/public_private_partnerships/ppp_pfi_stats.cfm
	This list covers unitary charge payments up to 2033-34. Unitary charge payments are projections covering more than the repayment of the capital value of a project. They will frequently include inflation, service provision and major refurbishment. They are also conditional on the performance of the private sector contractor.
	The FCO has commissioned no other PFI projects.

Robert Mugabe: Summit Conferences

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to  (a) the Portuguese Government and  (b) the EU on President Mugabe's attendance at the Lisbon Summit in December 2006.

Meg Munn: The UK is strongly committed to the EU Africa relationship. We want to see a successful summit that agrees substantive co-operation in areas that really matter for Africa, for Europe and for the UK. We are working with the Portuguese, and other EU colleagues, towards this and have underlined to them our view that President Mugabe's attendance would detract from this important agenda. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary stressed this most recently with his Dutch colleague on 5 July and will do so in discussions with other EU Foreign Ministers, including the Portuguese, in coming weeks. This was also raised during my Rt. hon. Friend the Prime Minister's discussions with the Portuguese Prime Minister on 9 July.

Judicial Appointments Commission for England and Wales: Secondment

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many of the staff seconded from his Department to the Judicial Appointments Commission are of  (a) senior leadership,  (b) policy and  (c) administrative support grades; whether staff who have been seconded to the Judicial Appointments Commission from his Department have maintained the same line management relationships with their existing managers; whether staff who have been seconded to the Judicial Appointments Commission from his Department may receive performance-related bonuses; what assessment he has made of the performance of the Judicial Appointments Commission; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) has a complement of 94 staff of which 17 members are temporary contractors on short-term contracts and 77 were secondees from the Civil Service. 70 are seconded from the Ministry of Justice (of these, 40 previously worked from the Lord Chancellor in this area, and 30 have not previously worked in this area); the remaining seven are seconded from other Government departments. In response to a request from the Constitutional Affairs Committee, information about staff seconded to the Judicial Appointments Commission is currently being collated and will be provided by the Chief Executive of the Commission to the Committee on 16 July.
	I will place a copy in the Libraries of the House and send a copy to my right hon. Friend , this should answer all sections of this question but if not I should of course be happy to provide my right hon. Friend with as much additional information as is available.
	I also refer my right hon. Friend to the written ministerial statement I made to this House on 4 July 2007,  Official Report, column 48WS announcing the publication of the Commission's first annual report.

Prisoners: Facilities

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 2 July 2007,  Official Report, columns 912-3W, on prisoners: facilities, what sanitary facilities exist within the custody area of court cells.

David Hanson: Wash basin and toilet facilities are available within court custody areas. Showers are not generally available at most court sites.

Department for Education and Skills: Reorganisation

John Hayes: To ask the Prime Minister what the projected cost is of re-organising the Department of Education and Skills.

Anne Milton: To ask the Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the cost of the machinery of government changes he has made.

Gordon Brown: The cost of machinery of Government changes will be met by relevant Departments within existing departmental budgets.

Departments: Buildings

Oliver Heald: To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to refurbish, extend or renovate the Downing Street complex.

Edward Miliband: I have been asked to reply.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer that the then Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Hilary Armstrong) gave him on 8 March 2007,  Official Report, columns 2198-99W.